One area where I’ve never pushed forward on is the area of IT Certifications. Those things look really good on a resume. I’ve gotten two certifications in my lifetime: My Microsoft Certified Professional in Windows 2000 cert, and my CompTIA Network+ cert. The Network+ one is for life, the Microsoft one is long expired.
Part of the reason I haven’t pushed for more certs is the time excuse. “I don’t have time” is the well beleaguered excuse that all procrastinators make. Well, I have my lunch breaks and I can usually squeeze an hour in the evenings, so I really don’t have that excuse.
Finances is another excuse. Each exam costs a lot of money, and if I fail then I’m out that cash. This is a silly excuse, as I could save for the dang test. So, from now on, I’m putting some money away for my certification exams.
Perhaps the biggest reason I don’t pursue certifications is that lie that I’m not good enough and that I shouldn’t bother trying, I should just accept the state I’m currently in. Why try, the lie says. The lie says that I should just accept my current state and not try to better myself. I know I’m better and should be striving to be better, but the lie feeds my self doubts and makes me not want to try.
Screw the lie.
I’m working on my ITIL Certification right now, which is kinda boring stuff, but it’s one of those soft skills that looks really good on a resume. After that I’m going to pursue some security certs, starting with my CompTIA Security+ exam, and possibly my CCISP or Certified Ethical Hacker. If I get a job that requires a different set of skills like virtualization then I’ll pursue those certs as well.
This is one area that’s a no-brainer. Getting certs makes me more desirable and helps me command a higher salary. And I’m no longer believing the lie. I’m doing it!
Who Said What?